[TL Note: Took out double s.p.a.cing between dialogue and narration.]

I sat atop a pile of rocks to briefly catch my breath.

I didnt really need to take a break, though.

Due to corpses strewn around and the accompanying blood scattered throughout the surrounding area, the pile of rocks looked like a tiny island in the sea.

While I sat upon the pile of rocks, I gazed at the sky and heard rustling footsteps in the distance.

I saw a shadow cast by the suns light amongst the trees.

I waited quietly.

There werent any remaining enemies in my vicinity.

The only ones still alive were Seregia and I.

Seregia avoided the strewn corpses and walked towards the mound of rocks No, she crawled over to me.

Wheeze.

I can easily discern her condition just by hearing her heavy breathing.

It was obvious when one considered the distance we had travelled today.

Thats why I told you to stay at the fort. Why did you follow me? I asked.

Just a minute, I Pant. My breath. I need a second to catch my breath Hoo. Im a little dizzy.

Yes. Please catch your breath.

Seregia climbed up the pile of rocks. I briefly waited so that Seregia could catch her breath.

I wonder why she had followed me this far?

That was the question.

It wouldve been fine if she had just stayed at the fort.

Of course, she could choose to follow me.

She might have followed me due to her sense of responsibility, or even because of her curiosity.

Or perhaps there was an entirely different reason that Im unaware of.

However, she had to witness countless people die right before her eyes. Someone who disregards all that death and recklessly follows someone isnt normal. At least, its not something a normal human would do.

Most people would turn back. They would run away.

After Seregia had calmed down a bit, I asked her again.

I asked her why she had followed me.

Im regretting it right now.

Of course you are.

Her hair was disheveled and her sweat had caused her clothes and hair to stick, so she seemed quite uncomfortable.

Her lungs wheezed, her breath emitted a stuffy smell, and her legs trembled.

Her clothes and her shoes were stained with blood and her hands and face were dusty.

It would be difficult to traverse that distance even if she had a horse, yet she had just chased after me with her own two legs; it was obvious that she would be tired.

Whats worse, she had followed me through the recesses of the dark mountain.

Hoo. I thought I was going to die. I couldnt get any closer no matter how fast I ran. Plus, the mountains getting more and more rugged. And theres the bodies scattered beneath my feet. The smell is disgusting as well. Not to mention, theres the occasional attack from the Demon soldiers.

There was one thing that she said that was bothering me.

What do you mean by demon attacks? There shouldnt be any demons left.

I had definitely drawn all of the enemies in the area to me and killed them.

And there werent any remaining enemies on the route I was on.

Yes. That was a lie, Seregia said confidently, with her peculiar outspokenness.

Once again, I felt like her confidence was absurd.

Why are you going so far as to lie?

I just wanted to try bluffing. Do you have a problem with that? she said bitterly.

No. Well.

Seregia quickly apologized for her bitter response.

Im sorry. Its become a habit.

A habit?

Yes. Everyone I meet and talk to just say yes, yes and agree to everything I say. I dont know when it started, but maybe thats why I started to get into the habit of bluffing.

Ah I see. Even so, please dont do that.

Yes. I understand.

Even so, I appreciated that she was honest, even here.

Somehow, I think Ive started to understand her situation, especially since it was a type of problem that I had experienced.

In general, differences in status can create a gap in communication.

Shes shunned within the royal familys knight order.

Its likely that most of the people around her ignore her and ostracize her, so the only people she can talk to are people who occupy a lower status than her.

She couldnt even look someone directly in the eye, unlike most knights who belonged to the royal family.

It seems like thats the situation shes in.

Shes isolated from other people.

She might not even have family or friends.

In cases like hers, a close friend would be really beneficial to her.

I wanted to ask her if she had a friend, but if she really didnt have any it would end up as an extremely rude question.

Ah. Then by any chance, was your a.n.a.lysis of my swordsmanship also a bluff?

In part. I predicted that you would be to handle a sword, Warrior.

How?

If you want to wield the holy sword, you have to be a swordsman.

Ah thats right.

In general, the warriors are summoned in groups of twenty-five, but in my case, I was summoned alone.

It was highly likely that a warrior that was summoned alone would have the capabilities of a swordsman, since they needed to be able to wield the holy sword.

But my statements regarding the intervals of your sword werent lies.

I knew that.

She had already proven her talent by correctly identifying the intervals of my swordsmanship.

Although she had deduced things in a somewhat backwards manner, even so, it was still enough to say that her innate abilities were amazing.

I relayed my appreciation, and told her not to worry about it.

Also, I told her once again that she was amazing.

Seregia laughed awkwardly.

Thank you.

When I had complimented her inside of my lodgings, she had laughed with the same awkward expression.

Seregias face wouldnt change with most work, so I found her current expression to be quite unusual.

Im very happy, Seregia added.

She hadnt calmed down yet, so she caught her breath before opening her mouth again.

I dont know how youll take this, but youre the strongest person that Ive ever seen, Warrior.

Yes. That sounds about right, I responded, speaking in a way similar to Sergias.

Thats obvious.

Theres no way youve seen someone stronger than me.

Maybe thats why I feel like Im being rewarded as time pa.s.ses. Im talking about when you first complimented me, saying that I was amazing. I was truly happy and I was really touched.

Seregias talking for a long time.

Its unlike her.

Shes reacting differently from when I had complimented her the other day.

It was easy to understand why.

Its because she had been fiercely exercising continuously for a long time, so shes secreting hormones.

TL Note: Hes basically saying that shes not in her right mind, and is being overly specific as to why he thinks this. Hes socially inept, remember?

Right now, it must feel as though her brain is slightly tipsy.

Ill say it again, but this isnt very different from a drunken confession.

It wasnt bad.

Since I had also wanted to hear what she had to say.

It seems like Seregia had been much happier than I had thought from that small praise.

That might be why she decided to bring me to the fort without asking any questions.

Maybe thats why she followed me up until now too.

So is that why you followed me?

I mightve been wrong, but I just wanted to hear her reason for following me.

At first, I came with you because I thought you might get lost. At the time, I had thought you would fight in the area for about one or two hours. After that, I tried to stop you to tell you that it was dangerous. However, I couldnt catch you with my own two feet.

In any case, shes just saying that she was worried, so she followed me.

Rather, I appreciated her intentions.

Warrior, I didnt think you would come this far. Are you truly planning on going all the way up to the summit where the Demon King is being summoned?

Yes. Thats why I came here.

Without the holy sword?

Yes.

Thats reckless. The holy sword is not a normal sword. Of course, Ive seen how amazing you are, Warrior. Ive seen you kill plenty of Demons today to know that. However, the power of the holy sword isnt simply at the level of a mere precious sword. Also, if you dont have the power of the holy sword, you cannot repel the Demon King. Its too reckless.

Thats what Id like to say to you, Lady Seregia. Now, what would you like to do? Im going to start moving again, I said, standing up from my spot.

How about we turn back?

If I was going to do that, I wouldnt have come this far.

Go back and at least get the holy sword. Warrior, you should have more than enough qualifications to wield the holy sword.

I dont want a holy sword that groans in a mans voice.

Im sorry?

I dusted off my pants.

Before I continued, I stretched and warmed up.

I think I have to set off now.

Shouldnt you rest a little more before you go? While youre at it, what about leaving after the morning sun comes up?

Ive rested enough.

What about eating some snacks before you go? she said, taking off the bag from her back and pulling out some snacks.

The snacks were all crushed.

I giggled after seeing her forlorn expression.

Unfortunately, there arent any snacks to eat.

Warrior, Seregia sighed.

Yes.

How far are you going to go?

As I said, Im going all the way up to the summit where the Demon King is being summoned.

No. Thats not what Im saying Where are you planning to rest tomorrow?

To be honest, my plan was to just to burst straight to the place where the Demon King is being summoned without any rest.

Theres no way Id lack the stamina to get there and I couldnt even sleep due to my insomnia.

However, Seregia stuck onto me.

[TL Note: The literal translation is as follows: The luggage known as Seregia stuck onto me.]

Ok Then, shall we rest at that fort you see over there? Like were doing right now.

Itll take a couple of days to get to that fort.

Eh, if we go fast, we can get there by tomorrow afternoon.

The route will be swarming with demons.

Thats exactly what I want.

After saying that, I dashed forward.

It wasnt really running, rather it was more like I was an arrow that was piercing through the air.

I wonder what decision Seregia will make, in that deserted place behind me.

I sensed that Seregia had stood up.

Would she decide to follow me again?

It was a really quick break.

That girl should need to eat and sleep

Does she really plan to follow me?

The more deeply I advanced into enemy territory, the more demons appeared.

The demons that werent in range of my skill might ambush Seregia.

There was no need for any calculations; it was certain that shed face danger on her journey.

I sensed Seregia moving behind me.

* * * * * *

Why are you doing this?

I put a wet towel over my face and asked Seregia, who was sprawled on the earthen floor.

She really followed me, though she looked like she was dying.

She looked like a marathon runner who had overexerted herself. It seemed like it had been too much for her heart.

Thus, she had arrived at the fort before sunset.

Pardon?

Why are you risking your life to follow me?

Really, Id like to say the same to you. Please answer me first.

I had insisted that I had asked her first, but I pondered the subject briefly and changed my mind. I would answer her first.

Its to defeat the Demon King.

Seregia flinched slightly.

It was unfortunate that I couldnt see her expression because of the wet towel.

I wonder what kind of expression she has on right now?

Then my reason is to watch you defeat the Demon King, Warrior.

I had to think about what she said for a second.

And I accepted it.

I couldnt figure out the reason she followed me.

Is there a reason you want to do that?

a.s.sisting you, Warrior, is the first mission I received. If its possible, I want to complete my mission properly. Also, if by any chance you defeat the Demon King by yourself, shouldnt I at least be there to watch you accomplish that great feat?

I felt as though her reason was based on her sense of responsibility, but thats only if I ignore that one thing thats missing.

Seregia hadnt even mentioned anything regarding her own safety.

Its dangerous. You could die.

Couldnt I say the same to you, Warrior?

No.

Its not dangerous for me.

I wont even die.

If thats not the case, then I wont die as well.

I couldnt understand her as always, so I gave up talking to her.

Also, after fifteen minutes, I revised my schedule to depart immediately.

If I maintain this speed, Seregia will die of either exhaustion or a heart attack.

Please drink this. Its a potion.

Yes. Thank you.

I took out a health potion from my inventory and gave it to Seregia.

Seregia didnt reject the potion and drank it wholeheartedly.

After she drank the health potion, she stood up, and examined the surrounding area.

Are you perhaps departing immediately again?

No. Im thinking of staying for a couple of hours before leaving.

A couple of hours I should take that as a relief. Warrior. Did you perhaps pack any food? If you dont have any, should I find something to eat in the storehouse?

Truthfully, food didnt really have much of an effect on my body anymore.

If you dont eat for too long, therell definitely be some issues. However, when I cleared a past stage and returned to the waiting room, I was fine without eating.

Thats why I havent purchased any food lately.

I thought that there might be something to eat in my inventory, and I looked around.

There was some beef jerky.

I took out the beef jerky and some bottled water, and shared it with Seregia.

Thank you. This is great because it has its own flavor.

The beef jerky were eating inside of a fort filled with bodies?

Yes, Seregia said firmly, and roughly tore the beef jerky.

Its hard to tell whos the Warrior when shes like this.

Ah, Lady Seregia. Would it be rude of me to ask about your life before you were exiled to the knight order?

Not at all. Theres not much to talk about.

Then, can you tell me about it?

Yes. Before I joined the knight order, I was an academy instructor. I was a swordsmanship instructor.

You were an instructor?

Yes. The story is kind of long. If I were to shortly sum it up, an academy graduate whose family had been ruined decided to take up a position as an academy instructor rather than go back to her hometown.

I think youve summed it up far too simply.

She acts like it wasnt a big deal, but since she didnt seem to want to talk about it in detail and only told me the simplified version, I decided to move on.

Then how were you exiled to the knight order?

It wasnt exile. Rather, I joined the knight order, Warrior. That too, isnt a big deal. I just entered a swordsmanship compet.i.tion that was hosted by the royal family using my qualifications as an academy instructor. Thanks to my refined swordsmanship, I won the compet.i.tion.

You won the compet.i.tion, but you were exiled?

Yes. There were several reasons. Im a commoner, my family was ruined, Im a woman, and I was an instructor, even though I wasnt a knight. There were a few trifling problems. But when I think about them one by one, there are actually quite a lot of them.

I sketched a picture in my head.

As I thought, the conversation didnt have a bright atmosphere.

Youre still amazing. You won the swordsmanship compet.i.tion that even knights enter.

Seregia briefly smiled bashfully, but suddenly straightened her face and spoke.

Of course. I was the best at swordsmanship.

It seemed like she actually did have some pride in her abilities.

She was a swordsmanship instructor, huh Shes exactly the person I need.

Then how was my swordsmanship?

Your swordsmanship, Warrior?

Yes. You saw me fight from afar, didnt you? Im simply curious.

Seregia pondered briefly and responded.

Honestly, I could only see flashing lights and the death of the swarming enemies from afar. There werent many traces on the enemies bodies, either. Ah, but there is something that comes to mind.

Something that comes to mind?

Yes. Im talking about the bodies that occasionally look burnt. Ive seen traces like that in the past. I remember that the previous head of the knight order had shown me a fallen kingdoms swordsmanship known as arcane swordsmanship.

A kingdoms arcane swordsmanship.

That phrase briefly reminded me of a mans face.

Lady Seregia. Who was the previous head of the knight order?

Based on what Ive heard, he was forced to enter the knight order because of a mistake he made in the past.

A past mistake?

Yes. Its likely that an illegitimate child showed up.

Ah, I seeLady Seregia. Was he by any chance a really talkative person?

No. He was a taciturn person who would barely speak one or two words a day.

I guess not.